Not only does Northern Vineyards Winery have some great wines, they also have a beautiful rooftop patio overlooking the St. Croix River. My personal favorite was the House White!
Fun fact: This is the first wine co-up in the U.S.!
Reiman Gardens is a hidden gem of Ames! Wander the beautiful gardens, walk among the butterflies and pay a visit to Elwood the World's Largest Concrete Garden Gnome.
The Stillwater Lift Bridge is one of the last three functioning lift bridges in the United States. In the summer, the bridge raises and lowers every half hour to let boats pass, which can cause quite the traffic jam!
Not only does Northern Vineyards Winery have some great wines, they also have a beautiful rooftop patio overlooking the St. Croix River. My personal favorite was the House White!
Fun fact: This is the first wine co-up in the U.S.!
Elwood the World's Largest Concrete Garden Gnome has been on my bucket list for awhile so I was delighted when we finally visited! The rest of Ames' Reiman Gardens is beautiful as well and definitely worth the price of admission if you're in the area.
Great photo opp! Pose with the World's Largest Superman in the Man of Steel's proclaimed hometown.
Great Plains is an Ames classic! I love a thicker crust so I'm partial to the Denver style but there's something for everyone at this western-themed eatery.
Ledges State Park is the perfect place to spend a fall afternoon! Enjoy the changing leaves and a hike through some of central Iowa's most picturesque locations.
So why, you might ask, did I drag my travel partner 20 minutes out of our way to see what is essentially just a giant rock? Great question.
Slayton Rock is one of those fun, tiny tourist attractions with a great, personal story. Plus it makes for a great photo op!
For $3 ($1 for kids under 12) you can watch a short informational video and take a self-guided tour of America's only working Danish windmill. I was a big fan of the mill & the delightfully Danish town of Elk Horn overall. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!